Washing apparatus



Spt. 22, l' 942.

- F. BRECKENRIDGE' ETAL WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE m: 5.4m K Cue/c 'ATTORN P 2.,9 F. BRECKENRIDGE'EI'AL- 5 WASHING APPARATUS.

' Filed Dec. 2 1939 MANUAL 'Q Q Z 122551- 4 0 MINUTES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3mm: & mm m WATER.

I mum.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 WASHING APPABATU S Frank Breckenridge and EarlK. Clark, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application December 2, 1939, Serial No. 307,202

4 Claims. (01. 68-12) Our invention relates to washing apparatus and hasfor an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for washingfabrics and spinning fluid therefrom, wherein improved means is providedfor controlling the amount of water delivered to suitable gasketed andhinged door I61 the apparatus and for preventing spinning of the fabricswhen the amount of water in the apparatus is above a predeterminedvalue.

' It is a still further object of the invention to provide improvedcontrol means for washing apparatus that will operate reliably over longperiods of time while subjected to alkaline washing solutions.

A still further object of our invention is to provide improved means forcontrolling the amount of water admitted to a washer and spinner and forpositively preventing spinning -of the fabrics until sufficient water isdrained from the washer to safely permit the spinning operation, whichcontrol means may be subjected to the alkaline washing solutions withoutaffect- .ing its operation.

These and other objects are effected by our invention as will beapparent from the following description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, inwhich:

r Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view ofa washing and spinning machinecontrolled in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus in Fig, 1 with portions of thefront of the casing broken away;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits for the drivingmotor and control devices employed in the apparatus; and,

shown vided with an opening i5 that is closed by a Rotatably disposedwithin the' tub I3 is a per forate basket I! of frusto-conicalconfiguration and having an end wall l8 at the large end thereof withinwhich an opening I! is formed. The basket I! includes an end wall 2| atthe small end thereof which is curved inwardly of the basket and definesa dome within the basket. The basket i1 is eoaxially arranged within thetube and rotatably carried by a shaft 22 that is driven by atwo-speedmechanism, generally shown at 23 and secured to the end of thetub l3 of minor diameter. The two-speed mechanism 23 is driven atsubstantially constant'speed by a shaft 24 carrying a pulley 25, thelatter being driven by means of a belt 26 by a motor 21. As the specificconstruction of the two-speed mech anism 23 forms no part of the presentinvention, it has not been shown in detail for the sake of cleamess andbrevity. It will suffice to say that theltwo-speed mechanism 23 isadjustable so that the shaft22 and the basket I! are rotated atrelatively low speed of the order of 52 R. P. M. during the washingperiods and at relatively high speed of the order of 460 R. P. M. duringspinning operations. Adjustment of the two-speed mechanism 23 isefiected by a magnet 23 which,

when deenergized, provides for low speed operation of the basket andwhen energized effects high speed operation of the basket. An adjustabletwo-speed mechanism of the type shown herein is described in detail inthe copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No.

305,512, filed November 21, 1939,, and assigned to the WestinghouseElectric '8; Manufacturing Company.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through thevessel of thegravity-operated switching mechanism.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 and '2 of the drawings wherein wehave shown a laundry machine of the type disclosed and claimed in thecopending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 203,804, filedApril 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.The laundry machine includes a casing structure generally indicated atit and having a front wall H, a portion of which is inclined as shown ati2. A water-containing structure or a tub l3 of frusto-conicalconfiguration is disposed within the casing structure i0 so that itsaxis is inclined, said tub being provided with an end wall 14 at thelarge end thereof. The end wall It is pro- The basket I1 is perforate, anumber of per forations being shown at 23, and is provided with aplurality of inwardly-extending and circumferentially-spaced vanes, oneof which is shown at 3|, which vanes extend from adjacent the end walll8 towards the dome and terminate in spaced relation with the latter sothat a substantially uninterrupted annular space 32 is defined adjacentthe dome 2|. The specific form of basket and vane structure which wehave shown in more fully disclosed and claimed in the copendingapplication'of'Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed April 15,1939, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Therespective access openings 15 and IQ of the tub l3 and basket I! arealigned substantially with an access opening 33 formed in the inclinedportion i2 of the casing front wall II. The opening 33 is closed by asuitable cover 34 during inactive periods of the laundry machine, whichcover is removed when the machine is to be operated. When the cover 34is removed the door I6 may be swung to its open position through theopening 33 in the casing. The admission of fabrics to be washed to thebasket I1 is-effected through the openings I and I9.

The motor 21 which we have shown is of the conventional type used fordriving domestic washing apparatus and is supported by a cradle 35, theopposite ends of which support rings 36 of resilient material such as,for example, rubber, which rings encompass and support hub portions ofthe motor frame. The cradle 35 is carried by brackets 31 and 38 whichare suitably secured to the tub structure.

Admission'of washing water to the tub I3 is through a nozzle 39 which issecured in the end wall I4 of the tub and which functions to direct thewater inwardly of the basket in a fannedout sheet. The'nozzle 39 isconnected to a suitable source of water shown as a conduit 4| by meansof a flexible conduit 42 such as, for example, a length of rubberhose.An electricallyoperated valve 43 controls the passage of water to thenozzle and, as shown, includes an operating solenoid 44. It will beunderstood that, when the solenoid 44 is energized, the valve 43 isopened so that water is admitted to the tub and, conversely, when thesolenoid 44 is deenergized, the flow of water to the tub is terminated.

The discharge of water from the tub I3 is effected through an opening at45 formed in the bottom of the tub, which opening 45 communicates with asump 46 which may contain a removable filter, not shown. The sump 46 communicates with the inlet 41 of a pump 48, the latter being driven by themotor 21. Control of the passage of water from the sump 46 to the inlet41 of the pump 48 is effected by an electrically-operated valve 49which, as shown, is opened and closed by a solenoid 5|. When energized,the solenoid 5| effects opening of the valve 49 and, conversely, whendeenergized, effects' the closing of the valve 49. The water dischargedby the pump 48 passes through a suitable flexible conduit 52 to a pointof discharge.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tub I3, the two-speedmechanism 23, and the motor 21 define major elements of a unitarystructure, generally shown at 55, which may be supported within thecasing I0 in any well understood manner. Preferably, the unitarystructure 55 is flexibly supported within the casing III so that it isfree to vibrate in all modes. The flexible support may include aplurality of springs 56, 51, and 58, the springs 56 and 51 being disposed on opposite sides ofthe tub adjacent the front end thereof, andthe spring 58 being centrally disposed at the rear end of the tub. Thesprings 56, 51, and 58 are suspended from spring nuts 59 which aresuitably secured to the casing structure II). The springs 56 and 51support brackets 6| and 62 which are suitably secured such as, for,example, by welding to opposite sides of the front of the tub. Thespring 58 supports a bracket 63secured to the rear end of the tub andwhich may define' an extension of the bracket 38. Flexible supportingstructures of the typegenerally shown herein are disclosed and claimedin the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 226,853,filed August 26, 1938, and in the copending application of Frank vember'1, 1939, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

Energization of the motor 21, the clutch magnet 28, the water valve anddrain valve solenoids 44 and 5|, respectively, is controlled by amotordriven timing device generally indicated at 65 and carried by thecasing front wall I2. The timer 65 which we have shown is of themotordriven drum switch type and includes a plurality of movable contactsegments 66 to 18, inclusive, which cooperate with stationary contactfingers 8| to 85, inclusive. The movable contact segments 66 to 18,inclusive, are electrically connected and are carried by an insulatingdrum 86, the latter being rotated by a motor 81 through a speed reducingmechanism indicated at 88. The drum 86 is shown in development in Fig. 3and it will be understood that, as it rotates, it moves in the directionof the arrow. The motor 81 is of the synchronous type usually employedfor operating clocks. The drum 86 may be manually rotated by a knob 81aindependently of the motor 81 in any well understood manner, which knob81a is accessible to the operator.

The finger 8| is connected to a line conductor L1 and the finger 82 isconnected to one side of each of the main motor 21 and the timer motor81, the opposite terminals of the motors 21 and 81 being directlyconnected to the opposite line brokenline A in Fig. 1.

conductor L2. The segments 83, 84 and 85 are respectively connected bymeans of conductors 9 I, 92 and 93 to one terminal of each of the clutchmagnets 28, the water valve solenoid 44 and the drain valve solenoid 5|.The opposite terminal of the drain valve solenoid 5| is directlyconnected to the line conductor L2.

The opposite terminals of the clutch magnet 28 and the water valvesolenoid 44 are connected in accordance with our invention, with theopposite line conductor Lz through a gravity-operated switchingmechanism, generally indicated at 94, the arrangement-being such thatthe water valve solenoid 44 is open-circuited when a full charge ofwater has been admitted to the tub and the clutch magnet 28 isopen-circuited at all times except when the tub is substantially devoidof water. In other words, the valve solenoid 44 may be energized toadmit water to the tub at all times except when a full charge of wateris contained within the tub, at which time the water attains the levelindicated by the The operation of the gravity-operated switch 94 is suchthat at no time can the clutch magnet 28 be energized for effecting highspeed operation unless the tub is substantially devoid of water.

The gravity-operated switch 94 includes an open top tubular vessel 95that is pivotally supported by a plurality of arms 96 which arepivotally carried by the casing III as shown at 91. The arms 96 permitupward and downward movement of the vessel 95 between limits defined bystops 98 which are disposed on opposite sides of the arms 96 and limitthe angular movement the upper end of the spring 99.

Breckenridge et 8.1., Serial No. 303,202 filed No- Communication betweenthe tub I3 and the vessel is provided by a flexible conduit such as, forexample, a length of rubber hose I02. The

hose communicates at one end with the bottom of the vessel 35 and at theother end with the sump 46 which is, of course, at all times incommunication with the interior oi the tub I3. As water is admitted tothe tub through the admission nozzle 33, the level of the water rises inthe vessel 35 and, due to the weight of 'the water, the

- indicated at I03, which controls the circuits of the clutch magnet 28and the water valve solenoid 44. The switching mechanism I03 includesfirst and second switches I04 and I05 connected respectively in thecircuits of the water valve solenoid 44 and the clutch magnet 20. Theswitch I04 includes spring-mounted contacts I06 and IM which are biasedin switch-closing'direction at all times. The switch I05 includesspring-mounted contacts I08 and I09 which are also biased inswitch-closing direction at all times. The contacts I01 and'I08 arecarried by conducting springs III and H2, respectively, which springsare engageable with spaced insuiating fingers H3 and H4 that are carriedby a lever II5 having a pivot IIG. Thelever H5 is moved to'its extremeor terminal positions by and all times except when a full charge ofwater is contained within the vessel 95.

The switching arrangement including the 'switches I04 and I05 defines.an improvement quantity of water contained therein less than the fullcharge of water. This operation is possible because the switch which isresponsive to the pletely an the tub with water.

spaced projections II I and H8 movable with the vessel 95 and the lever-H5 is biased at all times towards an intermediate position by a tensionspring II9. I

' As shown in the drawing (Fig. 3) "the tub I3 and the vessel 95 aresubstantially devoid of water 50. that the vessel is held in itselevated positionby the tension spring 33, the projection I II at thistime positioning the lever I I5 so that the fingers II 3 and H4 are outof engagement with the springs III and I I2. Accordingly, the switchesI04 and I05 are closed and the circuits of the clutch magnet 23 andwater valve solenoid 44 are conditioned for energization.

As water is admitted tothetub I3 and vessel 95, the latter progressivelymoves downwardly so that the pivoted lever I I5 is moved by the tensionspring 'II9 to an intermediate position as the projection I I1 is moveddownwardly. In the intermediate position of the lever II5 the finger H4is in engagement with the spring II2 so that the'switch I05 is open. Atthis time, however,

the finger H3 is still spaced from the spring III so that the switch I04remains closed. Opening of the switch I04 is effected only when thepro-- of water.

I the. vessel 35. Accordingly, the clutch magnet' It will beapparentfrom the foregoing description, that the switch I05 is Opened assoon asthe vessel35 begins its downward movement or when arelatively'small amount of water is present in solenoid cannot beenergized at any time when a an appreciable amount of water is in thetub and vessel-35, which amount wouidinterfere with high speed operationof thebasket. It will be apparent also that the wate'rvalve solenoid 44may be energized through'the switch I04 at any 05 will not affect itsoperation. -a float, solids, formed on the float chamber walls,

We prefer to employ an actuating mechanism of the gravity type, asdisclosed, for actuating the switching mechanism but it is to beunderstood-that our invention is not to be limited to an actuatingmechanism of this type, as a conventional float maybe employed foroperating the same. The gravity type mechanism defines an improvementover a float, however, as the accumulation of soap or other solids inthe vessel In the case of frequently cause the float to stick withobvious undesirable results. I

The respective switches I04 and I05 may be relatively adjusted tooperate iii the proper sequence. The switch I05 in its entirety may berigid with respect to its support and the bias of the spring 09 adjustedto effect opening of the switch I05 when the proper amount of water iscontained within the vessel 35. It is desirable that the switch I04 inits entirety be adjusted with respect to the contact finger II3 so thatit is opened when some predetermined agiount of water is containedwithin the vessel 9 carried by a plate I2I which is adjustable relativethe lever H5 and finger H3. The plate I2I may be provided with elongatedslots I22 which receive binding screws I23 threaded in some stationaryportion of the switch structure 94 and the proper elevation of theswitch I04 is attained by experiment, after which the binding screws-I23 are tightened.

order to charge the tub, the cover 34 is removed and the door It swungto its open position so that the fabrics to be washed maybe depositediii-the basket 3|. The door I6 is then closed and the operator turns thetimer knob 81a sufiiciently to'eflectengagement of the contact segments66,

I and 03 with their respective fingers 0|, 82 and 83. 'Ihe'main motor2'! and the tiiner motor 81 gizeg at this time.

the arrow. Engagement of the segment 63 and the finger l3 energizes thewater valve, it being .understood that the switch I04 at this time isclosed. As the tub fills with water, the vessel J 35 moves downwardlyand when a relatively small 1 quantity of water is present in the tubthe switch The switch I04 in its entirety is', therefore, I

l is opened. As far as filling with water is concerned, this is of noconsequence, but opening of the switch I05 prevents high speedoperation, should the timer 65 be advanced inadvertently' at this timeto a high speed position. When the tub is completely filled with waterto the level indicated by the broken line A, the finger II3 engages thespring III and opens switch I04 so that the fiow of water to the tub isterminated.

The fabrics are at this time agitated in the clear wash water forthoroughly soaking the same. During this operation, the fabricscontained in the body of wash water are lifted by the bafllesor vanes 3|to an elevated region in the basket. The vanes 3| become more and moreinclined as they move upwardly because of the inclined axis so that thefabrics slide from the vanes in an elevated region of the. tub and aredeposited on the dome 2| over which they slide and launch in the body ofwashing water. Movement of the fabrics from the dome into the watercauses a forward movement of the fabrics towards a region of the basketof maximum diameter. The fabrics are again elevated by the baflies 3|and deposited on the dome. Cleansing of the fabrics during the washingperiod is effected by agitation in the water and the scrubbing actioneffected by their passage over the dome and the vanes. This cycle ofoperation continues during the washing period.

After a relatively short period of time such as, for example, fiveminutes, the segment 14 engages the contact finger 84 so that the drainvalve is opened and the soaking water is discharged from the tube.Subsequent to the discharge of water, the contact finger 81 isdisengaged from the finger 82 so that both the main motor and the timermotor are stopped.

The operator then returns to the machine and deposits a suitablequantity of detergent in the basket and manually adjusts the knob toadvance the drum to effect engagement of the segment 88 and finger 82,at which time slow speed operation of the basket is again initiated.-Engagement of the contact segment 10 with the finger 83-energizes thewater valve solenoid 44 so that washing water is admitted to the tubuntil terminated by switch I04, as described heretofore. The duration ofthe washing period may be shortened if desired by moving the drum 88 toa.more advanced position, as is well understood. Agitation of thefabrics in the soapy water as described heretofore is now effected forthe removal of soils therefrom.

Toward the conclusion of the washing period,

wash water is spun from the fabrics and carried away by the pump 48.

Prior to the spinning of the fabrics, a fiushing rinse may be provided.This operation is effected by engagement of the contact segment II withthe finger 83, whereby the water valve is opened to spray water upon thetumbling fabrics. Accordingly, sediment and lint which may gatherv onthe clothes during the discharge of water are flushed away. This sprayrinse continues for a relatively short period of time. Spinning of thefabrics is terminated by disengagement of the segment 15 and finger 84which effects deenergization of the clutch magnet 28. The drain valvesolenoid 5I is also deenergized as slow speed operation of the basket isagain effected.

Rinse water is thenadmitted to the tub for an agitating rinse by theengagement of the contact segment I2 and the finger 83'. When asufficient quantity of rinse water is admitted to the tub the watervalve solenoid 44 is deenergized by the gravity-operatedswitch-operating mechanism 84, as described heretofore.

When the rinsing operation is completed. the drain valve is again openedby the engagement of the segment 16 and finger 84. During the drainingof the water, the segment 13 engages the finger 83 so that the watervalve is opened for spray rinsing the clothes, it being understood thatwater is discharged from the tub faster than it is admitted. During therelatively short agitating spray rinse or flushing operation, at whichtime lint and sediment are carried away by water discharged by the pump,the contact segment 18 engages the finger 85 for effecting high speedoperation of the basket. The flushing operation may accompany high speedoperation for a relatively short period of, for example, one minute,after which the segment I3 disengages finger 83 and the supply offlushing water is terminated. High speed operation continues for aperiod of about three or four minutes during which a substantialquantity of the water contained in the fabrics is centrifuged therefrom.At the termination of the spinning period the segments 68, 68, I6 and 18are disengaged from their respective fingers 8|, 82, 84 and 85 so thatall electric circuits are deenergized and the apparatus is renderedinactive. The fabrics may then be removed.

As described in the said copending application of Stuart B. Baird, whenthe clothes are tumbled the segment 15 engages the finger 84 so that thedrain valve solenoid 5I is energized and. water removed from the tub.During removal of water the vessel 95 moves upwardly, the. switch I04 isfirst closed and the switch I05 is maintained open until the vessel 95is substantially empty. It will be apparent that during the discharge ofwater or during a period when the tub might be full of water, high speedoperation of the basket cannot be effected by inadvertently turning thedrum 85 to a high speed position as the switch I05 is maintained openuntil'the tub is in the basket in the absence of water, they gather inan uninterrupted annular space 32 adjacent the dome. In the absence ofwater, the clothes as they descend from the dome do not move forwardlyof the basket, as described in connection with the washing. operation,but tend to cling to the dome so that they are gathered in the portionof the-basket indicated at 32, which portion is of relatively smalldiameter. In this position the fabrics oifer less resistance toacceleration of the basket, which is readily effected. As the basketaccelerates, the fabrics are moved forwardly or toward the region of thebasket of preventing high speed operation of the. basket thereof duringperiods when water is contained within the tub. In accordance with ourimproved control mechanism, high speed operation of the basket can beeffected only when the tub is substantially devoid of water. We considerthis an important feature of our invention.

We have, furthermore, provided improved means for actuating thewater-admittingjand speed-controlling devices which defines a distinctimprovement over apparatus employed heretofore; in that our improvedapparatus may be operated over relatively long periods of time withoutattention while subjected to alkaline or scale-forming solutions andwithout affectingits operation.

While we have disclosed our invention applied to a laundry machine, itwill be understood that it may readily be applied to other forms ofwashing apparatus. Controlling the admission of water by means of agravity-operated control device to various forms of washing apparatusmay be readily effected as will be apparent.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the artthat it is not so limited, but is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof,and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for centrifuging watertherefrom, the combination of a tub for containing washing Water, abasket rotatably disposed within said tub, driving means for actuatingthe basket at relatively low frequency for washing the fabrics and forrotating the basket at relatively high speed for centrifuging fluidtherefrom, means for admitting water to the tub, means for dischargingwater from the tub, first-and second control devices for respectivelycontrolling the operation of the water-admitting means and said drivingmeans, and means responsive to the amount of water in said tub for soactuating the first and second control devices that thefirst controllingdevice renders the wateradmitting means inactive when a predeterminedamount of water is contained in the tub and active to admit water to thetub at any and all 60 times that the amount of water in the tub is lessthan said predetermined amount, and that the second control deviceconditions the driving means for high-speed operation only when the tubis substantially devoid of water and for lowspeed operation at any andanother times.

2. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom,the combination of a tub, a basket rotatably disposed within the tub forcontaining the fabrics to be washed; adjust- .able driving means foractuating the basket at relatively low speed for'washing the fabrics andfor-rotating the basket at relatively high speed for extracting fluidtherefrom, said adjustable driving means including a solenoid which,when energized, effects high speed operation of the basket, anelectrically-operated valve controlling admission of water to the tub,said valve when energized admitting water to the tub and whendeenergized terminating the flow of water to the tub, a switch forcontrolling the energization of said solenoid and normally closed whenthe tub is substantially devoid of water, said switch being open at anyand all other times, a second switch for controlling saidelectrically-operated valve, said second switch being open when the tubcontains a predetermined weight of water and closed at any and all othertimes, and means responsive to the amount of water in said tub foractuating said first and second switches.

3. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom,the combination of a tub, a basket rotatably disposed within the tub forcontaining the fabrics'to be Washed, adjustable driving means forrotating the basket at-relatively low speed for washing the fabrics andat relatively high speed for extracting fluid therefrom, said adjustingmeans including a magnet which, when energized, effects high speed operation of the basket and, when deenergized, effects low speed operation ofthe basket, an electrically operated valve controlling admission ofwater to the tub, said valve when energized admitting water to the tuband when deenergized'terminat ing the flow of water to the tub, a membermovable in response to the amount of water in said tub, a switch forcontrollingthe energization of said magnet and actuated by said movablemember, said switch being closed when the movable member is in a firstposition in which the tub is substantially devoid of water and open atany and all other times, a second switch for controlling saidelectrically-operated valve andactuated by said movable member, saidsecond switch being open when the movable member is in a second positionin which the tub contains a predetermined weight of water and closed anyand all other times, first and second master switches for controllingthe energization of the magnet and the electrically-operated valve,respectively, and a timing mechanism for opening and closing said masterswitches in a predetermined sequence.

4.'In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of a, container for a body of cleaning fluidand the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting fluid to thecontainer, means for draining the fluid from the container, adjustabledriving means for actuating the container at relatively low and highspeeds for respectively cleaning the fabrics and for extracting cleaningfluid therefrom, and means responsive to the amount conditioned for lowspeed operation at all other times.

' FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

EaRL- K. ctr-ARK.v

